Recently viewed movie thread - Rental Edition (6 Viewers)

[El Floppo]

and god ####### dammit- I don't want to hear anybody speak badly about Dr Strangelove, a top 3 movie for me on most days.If you can't appreciate Sterling Hayden, much less George C Scott in this... I dunno.

Dr Strangelove is brilliant. I didn't even know this was in question.

The only people that question it are those that haven't protected their precious bodily fluids.

#######it. P.O.E.

 

[wikkidpissah]

If you can't appreciate Sterling Hayden, much less George C Scott in this... I dunno.

In the "greatest scene" thread, I was going to cite the one in "The Long Goodbye" where Sterling Hayden's character walks into the sea at Malibu Colony and the prodigious work he did up to it that made it so compelling, but i didnt think enough had seen it to relate.

 

[Chaka]

re: Mel Brooks...His makes movies by firing buckshot rounds of jokes continuously on the screen- most don't work, but Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, History of the World part 1... all hit more than miss IMHO. But sometimes- at least for me- all the misses really ruin the occasional zingers (High Anxiety, Space Balls)

Mel, like any comedian, doesn't nail it every time. But come on, people. This is the guy that gave us a king firing a shotgun at flying peasants. Genius.

What gets me is that he put out Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.....IN THE SAME YEAR. Definite genius. Yeah, everything doesn't hit the mark every time, but those two films are both top notch.

I don't know my film history, but didn't Brooks practically invent this kind of outrageous humor in film?

The guy is a pioneer and completely fearless.P### on you The Artist! I'm working for Mel Brooks!:facepunch:

 

[SmoovySmoov]

re: Mel Brooks...His makes movies by firing buckshot rounds of jokes continuously on the screen- most don't work, but Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, History of the World part 1... all hit more than miss IMHO. But sometimes- at least for me- all the misses really ruin the occasional zingers (High Anxiety, Space Balls)

Mel, like any comedian, doesn't nail it every time. But come on, people. This is the guy that gave us a king firing a shotgun at flying peasants. Genius.

What gets me is that he put out Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.....IN THE SAME YEAR. Definite genius. Yeah, everything doesn't hit the mark every time, but those two films are both top notch.

I don't know my film history, but didn't Brooks practically invent this kind of outrageous humor in film?

The guy is a pioneer and completely fearless.P### on you The Artist! I'm working for Mel Brooks!:facepunch:

I still feel bad for the above poster whose first glimpse was an edited cable version.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Wings of Desire was on AMC the other night.

I came. eta... to the same conclusion I've always had since seeing it in the theaters- my favorite movie. But I forgive anybody for thinking it's pretentious clap-trap. I forgive, but also hate unconditionally.

Just read a summary of it...so its basically City of Angels (Nic Cage/Meg Ryan vehicle) but substitute Hitler in as the angel?

 

[Chaka]

Wings of Desire was on AMC the other night.

I came. eta... to the same conclusion I've always had since seeing it in the theaters- my favorite movie. But I forgive anybody for thinking it's pretentious clap-trap. I forgive, but also hate unconditionally.

Just read a summary of it...so its basically City of Angels (Nic Cage/Meg Ryan vehicle) but substitute Hitler in as the angel?

Exactly 100% correct. Absolutely no reason to see WoD now...except it has Peter Falk and I don't think the Nic Cage one has Peter Falk. Peter Falk makes everything better.

 

[El Floppo]

Wings of Desire was on AMC the other night.

I came. eta... to the same conclusion I've always had since seeing it in the theaters- my favorite movie. But I forgive anybody for thinking it's pretentious clap-trap. I forgive, but also hate unconditionally.

Just read a summary of it...so its basically City of Angels (Nic Cage/Meg Ryan vehicle) but substitute Hitler in as the angel?

Oh wow- I had exorcised CoA from my brain. Thanks for making me remember KP.

 

[krista4]

Wings of Desire was on AMC the other night.

I came. eta... to the same conclusion I've always had since seeing it in the theaters- my favorite movie. But I forgive anybody for thinking it's pretentious clap-trap. I forgive, but also hate unconditionally.

Just read a summary of it...so its basically City of Angels (Nic Cage/Meg Ryan vehicle) but substitute Hitler in as the angel?

Oh wow- I had exorcised CoA from my brain. Thanks for making me remember KP.

Jesus.So the little block thingie didn't work to take me to the last post I read, so I'm just reading the last page. :(

Did I know that you and I had the same favorite movie?

And for ####'s sake, no one should ever mention that Cage/Ryan Movie That Shall Not Be Named again.

 

[El Floppo]

Wings of Desire was on AMC the other night.

I came. eta... to the same conclusion I've always had since seeing it in the theaters- my favorite movie. But I forgive anybody for thinking it's pretentious clap-trap. I forgive, but also hate unconditionally.

Just read a summary of it...so its basically City of Angels (Nic Cage/Meg Ryan vehicle) but substitute Hitler in as the angel?

Oh wow- I had exorcised CoA from my brain. Thanks for making me remember KP.

Jesus.So the little block thingie didn't work to take me to the last post I read, so I'm just reading the last page. :(

Did I know that you and I had the same favorite movie?

And for ####'s sake, no one should ever mention that Cage/Ryan Movie That Shall Not Be Named again.

I think I knew that from the World's Greatest Things EVer draft. IIRC, I proposed on the spot when you drafted it. BUt my memory sucks. Or maybe I quit the draft. Something or other.Since nobody else is biting, gb Krista4- I'm guessing I can count on you for this; did you ever see Before the Rain? I want confirmation that it was as good as I remembered. And how about Dreamlife of Angels? Jeebus- that was the first movie date the wife and I went on when we first started dating... I should've known from her extreme dislike of Dreamlife that I wouldn't get to see many more "good" movies after that.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Safe House - 7/10

Denzel basically reprises his Training Day character but the plot is interesting enough for a rental for sure.

I don't remember any similarities between the two movies. Safe House doesn't do anything original, but it's entertaining.

I'm just saying that the characters were kind of similar. In other words, I felt Washington kind of mailed it in. But even at that level he's interesting.

Sure.

This was a total and complete Jason BOURNE copy. It could have been called Blackbriar: The Aftermath.Denzel plays a pseudo older Bourne type (one of the myraid of agents) and Ryan Ryenolds plays a male version of Nicki Parsons (Julia Styles).

Denzel always does a fine job and this may be the first time I actually see some good acting from Reynolds, he must be taking night classes or something. The pacing and camera work, the CIA and Intel, the double-spy and fight scenes all ooze Bourne style. Its not quite as good, and the music and sound isnt up to snuff, but overall a very entertaining watch.

The 7/10 rating fits.

 

[Chaka]

Stalingrad - It definitely has moments where it really captures the starkness and desperation of one of the most brutal campaigns of WW II. And those moments are quite powerful and moving. However overall this one misses more than it hits for me. It lacks more authenticity than it captures, the acting mostly feels rudimentary, the battle sequences are fairly pedestrian and they don't do a good job of letting you know where and when the principle characters are at any given time. I just never got a real feeling for the scope of the campaign.

Decent, nothing special. Worth it really only if you are a war movie buff.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Sitting at work watching Tucker & Dale vs. Evil.

This movie goes to 11.

"Looks like he's gonna walk it off..."

"Don't be sorry, it's my fault. I should have known if a guy like me talked to a girl like you, somebody would end up dead. "

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Sitting at work watching Tucker & Dale vs. Evil.

This movie goes to 11.

"Looks like he's gonna walk it off..."

"Don't be sorry, it's my fault. I should have known if a guy like me talked to a girl like you, somebody would end up dead. "

"Well, officer, we have had one doozy of a day............there we were, minding our own business, when all these college kids just started killin themselves all over my property!"

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Sitting at work watching Tucker & Dale vs. Evil.

This movie goes to 11.

"Looks like he's gonna walk it off..."

"Don't be sorry, it's my fault. I should have known if a guy like me talked to a girl like you, somebody would end up dead. "

"Well, officer, we have had one doozy of a day............there we were, minding our own business, when all these college kids just started killin themselves all over my property!"

"I'm a terrible therapist."

 

[cstu]

Chronicle

Not a bad flick. Ends quickly

Just watched this one the other day. Thought it was OK, but I am usually a sucker for the "found footage" movies. If you don't like that style, I would stay away. Thought the underlying premise of what would happen if troubled teenagers get super powers was interesting enough, but a lot of the F/X were lame - especially when they were flying around, etc... Still was above average and worth a view if you like or at least can tolerate that format. 5.5/10

The effects were average at best, but it didnt bother me here because of the overall concept and actually seemed fitting. I dont think the viewer is supposed to be visually in awe of them either, which also matters. Best part about it for me was how real it felt despite it being sci-fi, as well as the relationships between the 3 of them. I thought the found footage was so well done you didnt even notice it half the time once the story gets rolling.

Am I the only one who hated these kids?

Spoiler

These awesome powers and all they wanted to do was harass people and fly around? The only serious discussion was about going to Tibet.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Chronicle

Not a bad flick. Ends quickly

Just watched this one the other day. Thought it was OK, but I am usually a sucker for the "found footage" movies. If you don't like that style, I would stay away. Thought the underlying premise of what would happen if troubled teenagers get super powers was interesting enough, but a lot of the F/X were lame - especially when they were flying around, etc... Still was above average and worth a view if you like or at least can tolerate that format. 5.5/10

The effects were average at best, but it didnt bother me here because of the overall concept and actually seemed fitting. I dont think the viewer is supposed to be visually in awe of them either, which also matters. Best part about it for me was how real it felt despite it being sci-fi, as well as the relationships between the 3 of them. I thought the found footage was so well done you didnt even notice it half the time once the story gets rolling.

Am I the only one who hated these kids?

Spoiler

These awesome powers and all they wanted to do was harass people and fly around? The only serious discussion was about going to Tibet.

Sure, but theyre high schools kids so using you powers to get laid probably seemed like enough to them Certainly they couldve done more, but considering the short running time (not to mention short period of time they had the powers...couple weeks maybe?) alongside the main teens storyline didnt leave much room for anything else.

 

[krista4]

Wings of Desire was on AMC the other night.

I came. eta... to the same conclusion I've always had since seeing it in the theaters- my favorite movie. But I forgive anybody for thinking it's pretentious clap-trap. I forgive, but also hate unconditionally.

Just read a summary of it...so its basically City of Angels (Nic Cage/Meg Ryan vehicle) but substitute Hitler in as the angel?

Oh wow- I had exorcised CoA from my brain. Thanks for making me remember KP.

Jesus.So the little block thingie didn't work to take me to the last post I read, so I'm just reading the last page. :(

Did I know that you and I had the same favorite movie?

And for ####'s sake, no one should ever mention that Cage/Ryan Movie That Shall Not Be Named again.

I think I knew that from the World's Greatest Things EVer draft. IIRC, I proposed on the spot when you drafted it. BUt my memory sucks. Or maybe I quit the draft. Something or other.Since nobody else is biting, gb Krista4- I'm guessing I can count on you for this; did you ever see Before the Rain? I want confirmation that it was as good as I remembered. And how about Dreamlife of Angels? Jeebus- that was the first movie date the wife and I went on when we first started dating... I should've known from her extreme dislike of Dreamlife that I wouldn't get to see many more "good" movies after that.

I am sadly of no assistance here--have not seen Before the Rain. I did see Dreamlife of Angels--remember loving it but not a lot more because, like you, I saw it in the theater ages ago.

 

[JZilla]

Get the Gringo - I thought this was pretty good. Dialogue was a little stiff and we never got a good explanation as to why that Mexican kid had a perfect Bronx accent. It was a fun flick though. Be sure to watch it for free because Mel Gibson is a big doush.

God Bless America - I thought this was awful. Hated the protagonist, hated his anti-reality-TV screeds straight out of 2007, stuck around long enough to hate the kid too, eventually shut it off. Hate to say it but I might be over the sassy/gritty teenage girl sidekick. People seem to mostly dig this one though.

Haywire - Pretty fun badass-chick movie, little slow at times but I enjoyed it overall. Beat the hell out of Salt.

 

[Chaka]

Chronicle

Not a bad flick. Ends quickly

Just watched this one the other day. Thought it was OK, but I am usually a sucker for the "found footage" movies. If you don't like that style, I would stay away. Thought the underlying premise of what would happen if troubled teenagers get super powers was interesting enough, but a lot of the F/X were lame - especially when they were flying around, etc... Still was above average and worth a view if you like or at least can tolerate that format. 5.5/10

The effects were average at best, but it didnt bother me here because of the overall concept and actually seemed fitting. I dont think the viewer is supposed to be visually in awe of them either, which also matters. Best part about it for me was how real it felt despite it being sci-fi, as well as the relationships between the 3 of them. I thought the found footage was so well done you didnt even notice it half the time once the story gets rolling.

Am I the only one who hated these kids?

Spoiler

These awesome powers and all they wanted to do was harass people and fly around? The only serious discussion was about going to Tibet.

Sure, but theyre high schools kids so using you powers to get laid probably seemed like enough to them Certainly they couldve done more, but considering the short running time (not to mention short period of time they had the powers...couple weeks maybe?) alongside the main teens storyline didnt leave much room for anything else.

Agreed. They were high school kids. High school kids are idiots.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Jack and Jill

Hoe Lee #### was this movie terrible. Recommended if you can't get enough of Adam Sandler doing his stupid Billy Madison voice and would love to hear that for about 90mins, and/or you have recently had a lobotomy.

 

[El Floppo]

Wings of Desire was on AMC the other night.

I came. eta... to the same conclusion I've always had since seeing it in the theaters- my favorite movie. But I forgive anybody for thinking it's pretentious clap-trap. I forgive, but also hate unconditionally.

Just read a summary of it...so its basically City of Angels (Nic Cage/Meg Ryan vehicle) but substitute Hitler in as the angel?

Oh wow- I had exorcised CoA from my brain. Thanks for making me remember KP.

Jesus.So the little block thingie didn't work to take me to the last post I read, so I'm just reading the last page. :(

Did I know that you and I had the same favorite movie?

And for ####'s sake, no one should ever mention that Cage/Ryan Movie That Shall Not Be Named again.

I think I knew that from the World's Greatest Things EVer draft. IIRC, I proposed on the spot when you drafted it. BUt my memory sucks. Or maybe I quit the draft. Something or other.Since nobody else is biting, gb Krista4- I'm guessing I can count on you for this; did you ever see Before the Rain? I want confirmation that it was as good as I remembered. And how about Dreamlife of Angels? Jeebus- that was the first movie date the wife and I went on when we first started dating... I should've known from her extreme dislike of Dreamlife that I wouldn't get to see many more "good" movies after that.

I am sadly of no assistance here--have not seen Before the Rain. I did see Dreamlife of Angels--remember loving it but not a lot more because, like you, I saw it in the theater ages ago.

Well ok then- I can't be completely off with my Before the Rain memory... and at some point I had it as one of my top movies- so I guess you need to rent it. Hear me? NOW. Just so I can have somebody tell me whether it was any good.

 

[El Floppo]

Jack and Jill

Hoe Lee #### was this movie terrible. Recommended if you can't get enough of Adam Sandler doing his stupid Billy Madison voice and would love to hear that for about 90mins, and/or you have recently had a lobotomy.

Wait a sec... what on earth prompted you to see this? Seriously- did you think it was going to be anything but nightmare?Oh and btw- I saw a poster recently for a new iteration of that starring Sandler, but this time with one of those recent SNL alums where he plays the annoying dad. I wanted to punch myself in the nads just for looking at the poster and imagining what the hell the movie would be like.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Jack and Jill

Hoe Lee #### was this movie terrible. Recommended if you can't get enough of Adam Sandler doing his stupid Billy Madison voice and would love to hear that for about 90mins, and/or you have recently had a lobotomy.

Wait a sec... what on earth prompted you to see this? Seriously- did you think it was going to be anything but nightmare?Oh and btw- I saw a poster recently for a new iteration of that starring Sandler, but this time with one of those recent SNL alums where he plays the annoying dad. I wanted to punch myself in the nads just for looking at the poster and imagining what the hell the movie would be like.

Sheer morbid curiosity and the amount of the knuckle dragging, mouth breathing customers bringing it back and saying that it was funny. I expected crap, but still found Sandler funny enough in my youth to give it a go. Much worse than I thought, and is probably the worst thing he has put out - as sad as that statement is.

 

[Daywalker]

Jack and Jill

Hoe Lee #### was this movie terrible. Recommended if you can't get enough of Adam Sandler doing his stupid Billy Madison voice and would love to hear that for about 90mins, and/or you have recently had a lobotomy.

Haven't seen this one but the commericals for "That's My Boy" crack me up because it's like a parody of Adam Sandler movies. What a bad casting job going with Andy Samberg too. He's like a 10x's over dubbed version of Adam Sandler. You cast Samberg to play the straight guy next to Sandler? Why not take a risk and go with a straight-laced actor like a Daniel Radcliffe to play that part.

 

[El Floppo]

Jack and Jill

Hoe Lee #### was this movie terrible. Recommended if you can't get enough of Adam Sandler doing his stupid Billy Madison voice and would love to hear that for about 90mins, and/or you have recently had a lobotomy.

Wait a sec... what on earth prompted you to see this? Seriously- did you think it was going to be anything but nightmare?Oh and btw- I saw a poster recently for a new iteration of that starring Sandler, but this time with one of those recent SNL alums where he plays the annoying dad. I wanted to punch myself in the nads just for looking at the poster and imagining what the hell the movie would be like.

Sheer morbid curiosity and the amount of the knuckle dragging, mouth breathing customers bringing it back and saying that it was funny. I expected crap, but still found Sandler funny enough in my youth to give it a go. Much worse than I thought, and is probably the worst thing he has put out - as sad as that statement is.

You still hold out hope that the people that like this kind of thing might actually be on to something?

 

[Kenny Powers]

Jack and Jill

Hoe Lee #### was this movie terrible. Recommended if you can't get enough of Adam Sandler doing his stupid Billy Madison voice and would love to hear that for about 90mins, and/or you have recently had a lobotomy.

Wait a sec... what on earth prompted you to see this? Seriously- did you think it was going to be anything but nightmare?Oh and btw- I saw a poster recently for a new iteration of that starring Sandler, but this time with one of those recent SNL alums where he plays the annoying dad. I wanted to punch myself in the nads just for looking at the poster and imagining what the hell the movie would be like.

When I first read KP's post I thought the new one was what he was talking about New one looks bad but possibly watchable. I would never allow myself to watch that Sandler tranny flick.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Jack and Jill

Hoe Lee #### was this movie terrible. Recommended if you can't get enough of Adam Sandler doing his stupid Billy Madison voice and would love to hear that for about 90mins, and/or you have recently had a lobotomy.

Wait a sec... what on earth prompted you to see this? Seriously- did you think it was going to be anything but nightmare?Oh and btw- I saw a poster recently for a new iteration of that starring Sandler, but this time with one of those recent SNL alums where he plays the annoying dad. I wanted to punch myself in the nads just for looking at the poster and imagining what the hell the movie would be like.

Sheer morbid curiosity and the amount of the knuckle dragging, mouth breathing customers bringing it back and saying that it was funny. I expected crap, but still found Sandler funny enough in my youth to give it a go. Much worse than I thought, and is probably the worst thing he has put out - as sad as that statement is.

You still hold out hope that the people that like this kind of thing might actually be on to something?

No, more like I just wanted to get into the heads of the dullards that rent from me. Really is frustrating trying to talk about movies to 85% of the people that walk in the doors (and yes, that includes my employees - I think most of them thought it was funny too)

 

[jdoggydogg]

Haywire - Pretty fun badass-chick movie, little slow at times but I enjoyed it overall. Beat the hell out of Salt.

Salt was entertaining. But a lot more over the top, that's for sure.

 

[Chaka]

Haywire - Pretty fun badass-chick movie, little slow at times but I enjoyed it overall. Beat the hell out of Salt.

Salt was entertaining. But a lot more over the top, that's for sure.

Haven't seen Haywire but for the bad ### chick genre I liked Hanna much more than Salt.

 

[JZilla]

Salt was entertaining. But a lot more over the top, that's for sure.

Gina Carano at least looks like an asskicker

Haven't seen Haywire but for the bad ### chick genre I liked Hanna much more than Salt.

Hanna could have used a lot more asskicking, I felt like they mostly wasted the premise

 

[Chaka]

Salt was entertaining. But a lot more over the top, that's for sure.

Gina Carano at least looks like an asskicker

Haven't seen Haywire but for the bad ### chick genre I liked Hanna much more than Salt.

Hanna could have used a lot more asskicking, I felt like they mostly wasted the premise

It was still better than Salt.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Meet Monica Velour

Kim Cattrall plays a washed-up, broken down 1980's porn star who is befriended by this goofy teenage kid who idolizes her. He has all of her movies on VHS cassettes.

Good concept that doesn't exactly deliver.

Cattrall gives a really good performance. She let herself be filmed with no makeup, and really bad lighting. You see the lines on her face, and the roots of her bad dye job. She chain smokes, eats really bad food.

The kid is a blatant ripoff of Napoleon Dynamite--tall, skinny and really strange.

The movie tried to be too clever. It was too self-aware. If it had focused entirely on Cattrall's life, how sad and empty she was, it would have been much better.

 

[LHUCKS]

Haywire - Pretty fun badass-chick movie, little slow at times but I enjoyed it overall. Beat the hell out of Salt.

Haywire was ####### awesome.My favorite action movie since the original Bourne.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Haywire - Pretty fun badass-chick movie, little slow at times but I enjoyed it overall. Beat the hell out of Salt.

Salt was entertaining. But a lot more over the top, that's for sure.

Haven't seen Haywire but for the bad ### chick genre I liked Hanna much more than Salt.

Hannah was really cool.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Talladega(sp?) Nights:

Was 1/2 and 1/2 on this one. On one hand, it was a little funnier than I remembered, but on the other hand it was longer than I remembered and I thought it really tapered off in the last hour.

Wag the Dog:

REALLY liked this one. Been on my list of movies from the 90s that I had missed, and it didn't disappoint. Unlike...

Last Tango In Paris:

I understand why this was controversial for the time, but I guess I don't get why it is so highly regarded. Didn't really like either of them, which is not a requirement, but I also found the dialogue to be uninteresting too. Also I am realizing that I am not a huge fan of Brando, which is unfortunate since he is in a few more movies from the 50s/60s that I have been meaning to get around to.

 

[wikkidpissah]

Last Tango In Paris:

I understand why this was controversial for the time, but I guess I don't get why it is so highly regarded. Didn't really like either of them, which is not a requirement, but I also found the dialogue to be uninteresting too. Also I am realizing that I am not a huge fan of Brando, which is unfortunate since he is in a few more movies from the 50s/60s that I have been meaning to get around to.

After all these yrs, i thought we'd reached a detente & then you hafta go do summin like this....

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Gi Joe: The Rise of Cobra I want to punch in the face every person associated with this movie except the two chicks. They were hot. Only thing that saved the movie from being turned off. Whoever did the casting for this needs to be hang in shackles by on the Hollywood sign for a month.

Fast & Furious What was this the 5th one? Or the 3rd one? I don't know. It's Vin, fast cars, lame one liners, hot women and action with some kind of mexican drug cartel driving through a mountain story line. They could have gotten rid of all the dialogue and just did the scenes with everyone saying, eat your popcorn, and I would have continued watching. Nothing redeeming whatsoever but fun in a holiday weekend of relaxing and drinking kind of way.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Get the Gringo - I thought this was pretty good. Dialogue was a little stiff and we never got a good explanation as to why that Mexican kid had a perfect Bronx accent. It was a fun flick though. Be sure to watch it for free because Mel Gibson is a big doush.

God Bless America - I thought this was awful. Hated the protagonist, hated his anti-reality-TV screeds straight out of 2007, stuck around long enough to hate the kid too, eventually shut it off. Hate to say it but I might be over the sassy/gritty teenage girl sidekick. People seem to mostly dig this one though.

Haywire - Pretty fun badass-chick movie, little slow at times but I enjoyed it overall. Beat the hell out of Salt.

Completely agree. Saw all three of these recently and Gringo was mostly forgettable, cheesy, predictable, and fun. Good way to kill a couple hours.GBA - Meh. I feel Bobcat is close to being a director I like but there's just something missing in his movies. This movie was fun for awhile but there was no point, really. He just wanted to ##### throughout the whole movie but it grew tiresome. Could have added in some maturity or some realization that he himself was full of irony and part of the very problem he whined about. Great premise (if unoriginal) but really let down.

Haywire - Kickass! She's not much of an actress but it wasn't needed too much. My favorite of these three.

A couple others I recently saw:

We Need to Talk About Kevin. What a pile of crap. I really, really hated this movie. I didn't like any of the characters. Nor did I dislike them. Nor did I ever feel like I was actually watching a real person. Felt like someone said, 'ooh, wouldn't it be like totally super scary if ____________ happened?'. I didn't believe Tilda Swinton's nervous breakdown (though she acted well with what she was given). I didn't think John C. Reilly played a believable role. And the kid's character seemed incredibly forced. It wasn't a horror flick. It wasn't a psychological thriller. It wasn't a glimpse into the grim reality of a troubled family's life. One of the most shallow and lazy ventures into an area filled with potential I've ever come across. Ham handed and hollow. I'm sure some folks like this and/or will claim it was creepy. 76/82 RT score and chaka/cstu both said they liked it. I absolutely despised it and think it's one of the worst movies I've seen of not only 2012 but of the past several years.

Being Elmo. I put this one off for a long while. Glad I finally got around to watching it. What a fantastic documentary. Highly recommended.

Has anyone seen

? It looks intriguing but not so amazing I'll watch it anytime soon without feedback.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Cache[/URL]

French made movie billed as a Hitchcock-esque thriller.

this #### was awful.  slow"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/URL]

really. it was nothing special.. won lots of awards and all but.. it was just not interesting in the least. it's billed as a "thriller" but there was just nothing thrilling about it at all.. nor suspenseful. check it out and let me know what you think.

by comparison i just watched 'Green Street Hooligans' on FBGs recommendation... same length movie... Cache seemed about 3 times as long. GSH flew by and was over before i knew it. HIGHLY recommended movie.. the Pete character was excellent.. even Elijah Wood was decent. my gf sniffed at the prospect of watching it but she was in tears by the conclusion. very good movie.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I will see Cache some day just to have an informed opinion on the film. Thanks for the Green Street Hooligans recommendation.

jdog, did you ever see this? I see this flick has had some decidedly mixed reviews in here and I'd like to get your take.

 

[saintfool]

Has anyone seen

really liked this film. hanneker makes really interesting films. i'm preparing a completist-type run on his films to get a better sense of him as an artist.

 

[cstu]

We Need to Talk About Kevin. What a pile of crap. I really, really hated this movie. I didn't like any of the characters. Nor did I dislike them. Nor did I ever feel like I was actually watching a real person. Felt like someone said, 'ooh, wouldn't it be like totally super scary if ____________ happened?'. I didn't believe Tilda Swinton's nervous breakdown (though she acted well with what she was given). I didn't think John C. Reilly played a believable role. And the kid's character seemed incredibly forced. It wasn't a horror flick. It wasn't a psychological thriller. It wasn't a glimpse into the grim reality of a troubled family's life. One of the most shallow and lazy ventures into an area filled with potential I've ever come across. Ham handed and hollow. I'm sure some folks like this and/or will claim it was creepy. 76/82 RT score and chaka/cstu both said they liked it. I absolutely despised it and think it's one of the worst movies I've seen of not only 2012 but of the past several years.

As far as the acting, you have to buy into there being people like that (oblivious dad, resentful mom, and a psychopath kid). As for the bolded, it wasn't presented in a normal way so I can understand how it could be a turn off.

 

[Chaka]

We Need to Talk About Kevin. What a pile of crap. I really, really hated this movie. I didn't like any of the characters. Nor did I dislike them. Nor did I ever feel like I was actually watching a real person. Felt like someone said, 'ooh, wouldn't it be like totally super scary if ____________ happened?'. I didn't believe Tilda Swinton's nervous breakdown (though she acted well with what she was given). I didn't think John C. Reilly played a believable role. And the kid's character seemed incredibly forced. It wasn't a horror flick. It wasn't a psychological thriller. It wasn't a glimpse into the grim reality of a troubled family's life. One of the most shallow and lazy ventures into an area filled with potential I've ever come across. Ham handed and hollow. I'm sure some folks like this and/or will claim it was creepy. 76/82 RT score and chaka/cstu both said they liked it. I absolutely despised it and think it's one of the worst movies I've seen of not only 2012 but of the past several years.

As far as the acting, you have to buy into there being people like that (oblivious dad, resentful mom, and a psychopath kid). As for the bolded, it wasn't presented in a normal way so I can understand how it could be a turn off.

I can definitely understand why people would not enjoy a film like this. It is filmed in a non-traditional, time jumping style. It is slow moving early and takes a long time to fill in enough blanks to see what is going on. And the subject matter is disturbing, touching on a topic that simply will not resonate with a large number of people. But Dr. A's review seems to miss on every level, particularly on the bolded. I also don't understand why he would think the film was ever intended to be scary.While I had a few problems with it, it was a very well acted and thought provoking film.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

We Need to Talk About Kevin. What a pile of crap. I really, really hated this movie. I didn't like any of the characters. Nor did I dislike them. Nor did I ever feel like I was actually watching a real person. Felt like someone said, 'ooh, wouldn't it be like totally super scary if ____________ happened?'. I didn't believe Tilda Swinton's nervous breakdown (though she acted well with what she was given). I didn't think John C. Reilly played a believable role. And the kid's character seemed incredibly forced. It wasn't a horror flick. It wasn't a psychological thriller. It wasn't a glimpse into the grim reality of a troubled family's life. One of the most shallow and lazy ventures into an area filled with potential I've ever come across. Ham handed and hollow. I'm sure some folks like this and/or will claim it was creepy. 76/82 RT score and chaka/cstu both said they liked it. I absolutely despised it and think it's one of the worst movies I've seen of not only 2012 but of the past several years.

As far as the acting, you have to buy into there being people like that (oblivious dad, resentful mom, and a psychopath kid). As for the bolded, it wasn't presented in a normal way so I can understand how it could be a turn off.

I have no problem buying psychopath kids. Or ignorant dads and resentful moms. I'm actually a sucker for serial killer/sociopath/psychopath stories ( ). Tilda Swinton did a great job acting. Jzilla nailed it - the kid's "evil" was cartoonish. It was downright comical. There wasn't any buildup to his character, really. Never did I get the sense I was watching a true predator, conning his way through his family as the evil matured and he adapted to blend in with his surroundings. If he's really a sociopath he should be able to fake a likable personality and fool his dad/lots of other people but maybe not the mom. They did hint at the whole cat playing with a mouse angle but never explored it or took it anywhere. If he's an uncontrollable ball of budding evil who keeps to himself and can't manage the emotional mask, even his dad would pick up on something. Maybe not evil, but something. Unless the dad is also damaged in some way. Maybe he's absuive. Maybe he's a distant alcoholic. But no, he's just some average joe.

I can appreciate a non traditional time jumping style. I prefer my non-popcorn movies to have a slow buildup. I've no issue covering disturbing topics. I don't appreciate making it seem that's why I didn't care for the flick. It certainly tried to give us a glimpse into the family life.

The kid simply went from one act to another, until the plot magically called for a climax so he was forced to jump to the rampage. I never once thought he was anything but a poorly thought out caricature of a psycho. C'mon...the part where he's eating the rodent was completely absurd and downright laughable.

I felt it didn't know how it wanted to present itself. It danced from horror to faux suspense. It didn't lead us on a path of emotional suffering for any reason but to make us suffer. And you could argue that was the point - to make us feel what the mother was feeling - except her suffering seemed all too fake thanks again to the comical acts of the kid.

I suppose the fact it's got me talking about it and caused divided opinions means it's done something right. But it made me want to go on a murderous rampage more than anything. Absolutely despised this movie and think it's an insult to movies that have actually done a great job portraying real evil. This movie was emotional torture porn. And yes, I've seen - and enjoyed - Tyrannosaur.

Question for you Chaka. What is so thought provoking about this movie?

saintfool - thanks for the feedback on Cache.

 

[Chaka]

We Need to Talk About Kevin. What a pile of crap. I really, really hated this movie. I didn't like any of the characters. Nor did I dislike them. Nor did I ever feel like I was actually watching a real person. Felt like someone said, 'ooh, wouldn't it be like totally super scary if ____________ happened?'. I didn't believe Tilda Swinton's nervous breakdown (though she acted well with what she was given). I didn't think John C. Reilly played a believable role. And the kid's character seemed incredibly forced. It wasn't a horror flick. It wasn't a psychological thriller. It wasn't a glimpse into the grim reality of a troubled family's life. One of the most shallow and lazy ventures into an area filled with potential I've ever come across. Ham handed and hollow. I'm sure some folks like this and/or will claim it was creepy. 76/82 RT score and chaka/cstu both said they liked it. I absolutely despised it and think it's one of the worst movies I've seen of not only 2012 but of the past several years.

As far as the acting, you have to buy into there being people like that (oblivious dad, resentful mom, and a psychopath kid). As for the bolded, it wasn't presented in a normal way so I can understand how it could be a turn off.

I have no problem buying psychopath kids. Or ignorant dads and resentful moms. I'm actually a sucker for serial killer/sociopath/psychopath stories ( ). Tilda Swinton did a great job acting. Jzilla nailed it - the kid's "evil" was cartoonish. It was downright comical. There wasn't any buildup to his character, really. Never did I get the sense I was watching a true predator, conning his way through his family as the evil matured and he adapted to blend in with his surroundings. If he's really a sociopath he should be able to fake a likable personality and fool his dad/lots of other people but maybe not the mom. They did hint at the whole cat playing with a mouse angle but never explored it or took it anywhere. If he's an uncontrollable ball of budding evil who keeps to himself and can't manage the emotional mask, even his dad would pick up on something. Maybe not evil, but something. Unless the dad is also damaged in some way. Maybe he's absuive. Maybe he's a distant alcoholic. But no, he's just some average joe.

I can appreciate a non traditional time jumping style. I prefer my non-popcorn movies to have a slow buildup. I've no issue covering disturbing topics. I don't appreciate making it seem that's why I didn't care for the flick. It certainly tried to give us a glimpse into the family life.

The kid simply went from one act to another, until the plot magically called for a climax so he was forced to jump to the rampage. I never once thought he was anything but a poorly thought out caricature of a psycho. C'mon...the part where he's eating the rodent was completely absurd and downright laughable.

I felt it didn't know how it wanted to present itself. It danced from horror to faux suspense. It didn't lead us on a path of emotional suffering for any reason but to make us suffer. And you could argue that was the point - to make us feel what the mother was feeling - except her suffering seemed all too fake thanks again to the comical acts of the kid.

I suppose the fact it's got me talking about it and caused divided opinions means it's done something right. But it made me want to go on a murderous rampage more than anything. Absolutely despised this movie and think it's an insult to movies that have actually done a great job portraying real evil. This movie was emotional torture porn. And yes, I've seen - and enjoyed - Tyrannosaur.

Question for you Chaka. What is so thought provoking about this movie?

saintfool - thanks for the feedback on Cache.

I'm not sure we are talking about the same movie. He did fake a likable personality with his father, that was a huge recurring part of the story. As was his disdain for his mother, Kevin's desire to punish his mother really seemed to be the driver, which was set up beautifully during the childbirth scene, where she is completely devoid of emotion and does not even hold Kevin while John C. Riley is the one providing the attention. Swinton never bonded with Kevin and they demonstrate a stark contrast to that with the birth of the daughter.And he didn't eat a rodent (at least I don't recall him eating a rodent) he ate lychee

Spoiler

after the sister lost her eye. He stuffed his sister's pet rodent down the garbage disposal, which I think was the only rodent in the film.

.

I enjoyed it because it was a well crafted and at times masterfully told story about a subject that I would never have even pondered. I also enjoyed that I don't necessarily consider the intent of the film to have been to tell a literal truth about a high school killing spree but a metaphorical representation of the collapse of a human psyche as it tries to come to grips with a circumstance that few can ponder. Again I did have some problems with the film, particularly the method and resolution of the killing spree, but overall I thought this was a tremendously well acted (particularly Swinton) and thoughtful film.

But it clearly is not for everyone.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Looks like he was simply eating a massive chunk of meat at the counter and they deliberately made it overly messy. I was already disliking the movie when it got to that part and my frustration was boiling over. We'll have to agree to disagree. I thought it was a very intriguing and promising premise that was executed very poorly. Perhaps the fact I do enjoy/ponder these stories raises my expectations too much.

I do agree Swinton did a great job acting out the role.

 

[Chaka]

Looks like he was simply eating a massive chunk of meat at the counter and they deliberately made it overly messy. I was already disliking the movie when it got to that part and my frustration was boiling over. We'll have to agree to disagree. I thought it was a very intriguing and promising premise that was executed very poorly. Perhaps the fact I do enjoy/ponder these stories raises my expectations too much. I do agree Swinton did a great job acting out the role.

Fair enough, I'm not asking you to like it I just don't understand your criticism. Honestly I question how closely you were watching in general if you also missed out on how he completely changed his personality when interacting with his father. Riley wasn't being clueless Kevin was manipulating him, on many levels I think he may have actually even loved his father.

 

[Osaurus]

Super 8

I would say I sort of liked the first half of the movie. The 2nd...meh. The ending was turrible IMO. Obvious and forced metaphors abound. I was thinking this would be more Abrams-esque. 2.5/5.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Looks like he was simply eating a massive chunk of meat at the counter and they deliberately made it overly messy. I was already disliking the movie when it got to that part and my frustration was boiling over. We'll have to agree to disagree. I thought it was a very intriguing and promising premise that was executed very poorly. Perhaps the fact I do enjoy/ponder these stories raises my expectations too much.

I do agree Swinton did a great job acting out the role.

Fair enough, I'm not asking you to like it I just don't understand your criticism. Honestly I question how closely you were watching in general if you also missed out on how he completely changed his personality when interacting with his father. Riley wasn't being clueless Kevin was manipulating him, on many levels I think he may have actually even loved his father.

I don't understand how you could possibly like the movie. So we're on somewhat the same page. I thought his interactions with his dad were as silly and fake as his character in general. Just empty motions from an 'evil' character because the plot called for it. Not a single thing rang true about the kid. Yes, I know he's supposed to come across as somewhat fake. But the evil should at least feel real. He felt cartoonish and downright comical. The school massacre was as silly as everything else. It felt like a filmmaker who has no voice of her own and simply copies better movies. This was the Jim Belushi of its genre.

 

[Chaka]

Looks like he was simply eating a massive chunk of meat at the counter and they deliberately made it overly messy. I was already disliking the movie when it got to that part and my frustration was boiling over. We'll have to agree to disagree. I thought it was a very intriguing and promising premise that was executed very poorly. Perhaps the fact I do enjoy/ponder these stories raises my expectations too much.

I do agree Swinton did a great job acting out the role.

Fair enough, I'm not asking you to like it I just don't understand your criticism. Honestly I question how closely you were watching in general if you also missed out on how he completely changed his personality when interacting with his father. Riley wasn't being clueless Kevin was manipulating him, on many levels I think he may have actually even loved his father.

I don't understand how you could possibly like the movie. So we're on somewhat the same page. I thought his interactions with his dad were as silly and fake as his character in general. Just empty motions from an 'evil' character because the plot called for it. Not a single thing rang true about the kid. Yes, I know he's supposed to come across as somewhat fake. But the evil should at least feel real. He felt cartoonish and downright comical. The school massacre was as silly as everything else. It felt like a filmmaker who has no voice of her own and simply copies better movies. This was the Jim Belushi of its genre.

My girlfriend commented that Kevin looked like a Twilight vampire which likely contributed to the cartoonish nature you describe. But that kid was straight up cold and emotionally empty from start to finish. He was Dexter without the benefit of Harry. For lack of a better term I didn't like much about the execution of the killing spree either but I don't think that was really relevant to the story and the director, wisely IMO, didn't spend too much time on it.As far as realism I think there probably should have been more tantrums when Kevin was younger, like his uncontrollable crying as an infant, but his coldness as a teen felt plenty authentic.

Good film, worth watching but not for everyone.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Looks like he was simply eating a massive chunk of meat at the counter and they deliberately made it overly messy. I was already disliking the movie when it got to that part and my frustration was boiling over. We'll have to agree to disagree. I thought it was a very intriguing and promising premise that was executed very poorly. Perhaps the fact I do enjoy/ponder these stories raises my expectations too much.

I do agree Swinton did a great job acting out the role.

Fair enough, I'm not asking you to like it I just don't understand your criticism. Honestly I question how closely you were watching in general if you also missed out on how he completely changed his personality when interacting with his father. Riley wasn't being clueless Kevin was manipulating him, on many levels I think he may have actually even loved his father.

I don't understand how you could possibly like the movie. So we're on somewhat the same page. I thought his interactions with his dad were as silly and fake as his character in general. Just empty motions from an 'evil' character because the plot called for it. Not a single thing rang true about the kid. Yes, I know he's supposed to come across as somewhat fake. But the evil should at least feel real. He felt cartoonish and downright comical. The school massacre was as silly as everything else. It felt like a filmmaker who has no voice of her own and simply copies better movies. This was the Jim Belushi of its genre.

My girlfriend commented that Kevin looked like a Twilight vampire which likely contributed to the cartoonish nature you describe. But that kid was straight up cold and emotionally empty from start to finish. He was Dexter without the benefit of Harry. For lack of a better term I didn't like much about the execution of the killing spree either but I don't think that was really relevant to the story and the director, wisely IMO, didn't spend too much time on it.As far as realism I think there probably should have been more tantrums when Kevin was younger, like his uncontrollable crying as an infant, but his coldness as a teen felt plenty authentic.



Good film, worth watching but not for everyone.

It wasn't really his looks but his actions in general that felt forced. Dexter's moves generally all make sense. He's cold, calculating, sometimes emotional...but his moves all have a logic to them. Don't think they compare at all outside the fact they're both monsters. The killing spree was the climax of the entire story. Certainly Tilda and her son had struggles before the gym, but it's that moment which really throws her out to the world and sets up the heavy metaphors (omg, red paint!). Hard for me to say it isn't really relevant.We've agreed on several films but couldn't be further apart regarding the bolded. At least folks are talking about it and it's drawing strong emotions. I saw you and cstu both enjoyed it. I searched back and saw jzilla hated it. I despised it. I don't think our tastes are THAT different so it's probably something folks should watch so they can draw their own conclusions.